Lomami National Park
Democratic Republic of Congo

Lomami National Park is one of the most interesting safari destinations in the Democratic Republic of Congo and obviously a must-visit tourist attraction during Congo tours.

 

Size and location of Lomami National Park

Extending for over 9000 square kilometers, Lomami National Park is sitted in the middle of the 40,000-square kilometer natural ecosystem and in the middle basin of Lomami River. This Protected Area is found between Lualaba, Tshuapa and Lomami Rivers in addition to nestling Maniema and Tshopo Provinces that slightly extends to the verdant rainforests of Tshuapa as well as Lualaba River basins. The landscape is marked by Tropical lowland rainforest with savannah plains in the southern end as well as rolling hills in the western side.

 

History of Lomami National Park

Established on 7th July 2016, Lomami National Park became the newest Park in the country after declaration by Prime Minister Augustine Matata Ponyo. This obviously makes it the first Park to be gazetted in the Democratic Republic of Congo after over 46 years. Before the Park was established, studies were conducted in 2007 with satellite images putting the area at 40,000 square kilometers of untouched rainforest, without roads, agricultural land or human settlement.

At the time, a couple (John and Terese Hart) attached to Lukuru Foundation undertaking research and Conservation of rainforests within the Democratic Republic of Congo since the 1980’s surveyed areas around Lomami River. This was in April 2007 and it is from here that they named the region “Tshuapa-Lomami-Lualaba” Conservation Landscape after the three beautiful Rivers. It was after many years of hard work and collaboration that the Park was finally gazetted and is managed by Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN).

Highlights

Animals

Most of Congo’s endemic and rare wildlife species are found in Lomami National Park and they include Okapi, Lesula monkeys, Bonobo and Congo peafowl although other animals such as Dryas monkeys, African forest elephants, Tshuapa red colobus monkeys, Katanga red-tailed monkeys, Lomani River wolf’s monkeys, De Brazza’s monkeys, Sclater’s Angolan colobus, Lomami River blue monkeys, Black-bellied pangolin, Northern black mangabeys, Congo basin’s wolf’s monkeys, bush pigs, giraffes, leopards, serval cats, Alexander’s Kusimanse, side-striped jackals, Yellow-nosed red-tailed monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, forest buffaloes, Sitatunga, giant forest hogs and many others.

The Nile Monitor lizards, African bush viper, Uganda house snake, Puff Adders, forest cobras, African rock python, the large-eyed green tree snake, Eroded Hingeback Tortoise, the Red-black striped snake and the Black-necked spitting cobra are some of the reptile species in this Park while Amphibians include the Gaboon forest tree frog.

 

Birds

There are over 275 species of birds in Lomami National Park and these include the Yellow-throated tinkerbird, Black-billed Turaco,  Cassin’s flycatcher, Congo peafowl, grey parrots, Black Cuckoo, crested guineafowls, Hadada ibis, black-bellied bustard, Blue-breasted bee-eater, Eastern bearded greenbul, western Nicator, yellow whiskered greenbul, Velvet-mantled Drongo, white-breasted Nigrita, Black Sparrowhawk, little greenbul, Bates’s nightjar, Crested guineafowls, Black-billed Turaco, Pale-crowned Cisticola, red-chested owlet, Black-headed herons, yellow rumped tinkerbird, white-crested hornbills, Speckled tinkerbird, Johanna’s sunbirds, Blue-breasted kingfisher, Blue swallow, Senegal lapwing, African Paradise flycatcher, spotted greenbul, Croaking Cisticola, chestnut-capped flycatcher, Cassin’s Spinetail, Grey-throated tit flycatcher, Olive sunbirds and many others.

Game Viewing

Game viewing in Lomami National Park is conducted throughout the year and offers opportunities of encountering Bonobo and Congo peafowl although other animals such as Dryas monkeys, African forest elephants, Tshuapa red colobus monkeys, Katanga red-tailed monkeys, Lomani River wolf’s monkeys, De Brazza’s monkeys, Sclater’s Angolan colobus, Lomami River blue monkeys, Black-bellied pangolin, Northern black mangabeys, Congo basin’s wolf’s monkeys, bush pigs, giraffes and many others.

 

Fishing

Fishing excursions within Lomami National Park are undertaken within the Lomani River as well as Lualaba River Basin where a plethora of fish species including Nile Tilapia and Catfish among others. Alternatively, visitors can join the locals to fish within the dug-out ponds close to the villages.

 

Boat rides

Boat rides offer exceptional opportunities of exploring the aquatic flora and fauna species of Lomami National Park. Expect rare views of the Nile Monitor lizards, birds especially kingfishers, African fish eagles and so much more. These Boat ride trips usually climax with picnic lunch within the wilderness.

 

Cultural tours

Lomami National Park is surrounded by a number of villages occupied by 7 distinctive ethnic groups such as Mbole and Mituku. Visitors are offered chances of learning the people’s ancient hunting techniques, listen to stories of the jungle, undertake traditional dances and even purchase locally made handcrafts and even have a taste of the local cuisines.

 

Birding tours

Birding tours are also possible within Lomami National Park with hope of finding over 275 bird species. The number of species to be spotted are not guaranteed but get a chance to see are Hadada ibis, black-bellied bustard, Blue-breasted bee-eater, Eastern bearded greenbul, western Nicator, yellow whiskered greenbul, Velvet-mantled Drongo, white-breasted Nigrita, Black Sparrowhawk, little greenbul, Bates’s nightjar, Crested guineafowls, Black-billed Turaco, Pale-crowned Cisticola, red-chested owlet, Black-headed herons, yellow rumped tinkerbird, white-crested hornbills and many others.


How do i get there ?

By Road

Lomami National Park being located in Central side of Democratic Republic of Congo, it can be reached by road from Kindu City.

By Flight

Situated in Central side of Democratic Republic of Congo, Lomami National Park can be reached by air hence domestic flights can be booked.